I am the happiest woman on earth - HID

By Jackson Udom - 25.11.2007

MARTRIACH of the Awolowo dynasty, Yeye Odua, H.I.D. Awolowo CFR, on Saturday said that she was the happiest woman on earth.

Mama HID Awolowo said this in a chat with Sunday Tribune, at the launch of a book specially dedicated to her on her 92nd birthday and entitled, Ageing and the Keys to Longevity, which took place at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos.

According to her,”that I am celebrating my 92nd birthday makes me the happiest woman on earth. I thank God for His grace and protection over my family. I am happy, I am happy. I can’t say more than that.”

Earlier, chairman of the occasion, Engineer O. Odusanmi, who was represented by Dr. Oscar Akindele, had described Mama as the ‘nation’s Jewel of Inestimable Value,”saying,“Mama, to all of us is not Papa’s Jewel of Inestimable Value, but the nation’s Jewel of Inestimable Value”.

According to him, “when you take a cursory look at the life and times of Mama, you will notice that she has excelled in all areas of human endeavours and at 92 she is still waxing stronger.”

Speaking at the book launch, Rev. (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran, who spoke on behalf of the Awolowo family, thanked God for giving her and her siblings the kind of parents they have, saying, “if God did not join Papa and Mama together we will not be celebrating what we are celebrating today.”

According to her, “Papa, throughout his life time was a disciplined husband and father, likewise Mama, and for over 20 years after Papa’s demise, there is yet to be anybody that has come around to say we are your step brother or sister.”

She, however, cautioned married couples to remain faithful to their spouses in order to enjoy graceful ageing and longevity of life. “If you are married, please stay glued to your spouse, stop looking up, down, left, right and centre, so that you will enjoy longevity of life.”

Those who attended the book launch included Otunba Ayo Soyode, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Venerable F.O. Babatunji, Hon. Abayomi Odunbaku, Hon. Ayinde Kokumo and Hon. Adekun Ismail.

Also present were Bashorun Obasajo Soyoye, Engineer Kayode Ogunnaike; Daniel Kayode Ogundare. Also in attendance were Rev & Mrs. Remi Onajole, Otunba Tiwalade Sobo, Chief Rotimi Onajole. Alhaji Mukaila Adekunle, Alhaji Rasheed Odugbemi and Prof. Julius Olujide Olowookere (author of the book).

Others were Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, Prof. E.O. Ogunyemi, Prof. A. Olomu, Prof. Odutola Osilesi, Dr. O.A. Osonuga; Chief (Mrs.) Olowookere, Barrister Gbenga Omilola; Mr. Femi Kayode; Mrs. Sokefun; Mr. Peter Esegbue and Mr. Gboyega Oyeleke, among numerous others.